Hong Kong Pineapple Buns (菠蘿包)

Date: Author: Category: Authentic Chinese dishes Tags: , , , ,

🐝✨ Hong Kong Pineapple Buns (菠蘿包)

The Bun With Zero Pineapple… But 100% Happiness

If you grew up in Hong Kong, you’ve definitely had a pineapple bun so good it made you forget your homework. Spoiler: there is absolutely no pineapple inside — but the crackly golden topping does look like one if you squint hard enough and use your imagination.

This is the updated, fluffier, chewier, Instagram-ready version. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it is worth it.

🍞 INGREDIENTS

Bread Dough

  • 350 g bread flour
  • 40 g caster sugar
  • 30 g milk powder
  • 140 g butter
  • 150 ml milk
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 eggs (free-range, because we are classy)

Activated Yeast

  • 80 ml warm water
  • 10 g dried active yeast

Topping (the star of the show)

  • 150 g flour
  • 100 g caster sugar
  • 80 g butter
  • 10 g milk powder
  • 2 tbsp condensed or evaporated milk
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tbsp milk

Glaze

  • 1 egg yolk (the golden hour filter of baking)

📸 METHOD

1. Activate your yeast (wake it gently like a Disney princess)

Mix yeast + warm water. Whisk. Wait 15 minutes until frothy like a latte. Whisk again to show it who’s boss.

2. Make the dough — the stretchier, the sexier

  1. Mix all dry bread ingredients in one bowl.
  2. Mix all wet ingredients in another bowl. Add in your activated yeast.
  3. Combine wet + dry.
  4. Knead the sticky chaos for 20 minutes until smooth, elastic, and emotionally stable.
  5. Cover and rest in the fridge 2 hours or overnight. Overnight gives maximum fluff.

3. Divide & rise — the bun spa session

  1. Flour your counter.
  2. Divide dough into 12 pieces.
  3. Cover and let rise 1 hour. They should look plump, like they’re ready for beach season.

4. Make the legendary topping

  1. Mix all dry topping ingredients.
  2. Add wet ingredients.
  3. Form 12 balls and chill 30 minutes — toppings need beauty sleep too.

5. Assemble like a HK bakery pro

  1. Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.
  2. Flatten each topping ball gently with your hands.
  3. Lay one on each bun like a cute little hat.
  4. Score a criss-cross pattern — this is the pineapple illusion.

6. Glaze & bake

  1. Brush ONLY the topping with egg yolk for maximum golden glow.
  2. Place a tray of water at the bottom of the oven (bun hydration is self-care).
  3. Bake for 25–30 minutes until gloriously golden and irresistible.

Winsesweewok Nov 2015

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